Method for preparing a fresh brewed cold coffee beverage and coffee machine for conducting such method

ABSTRACT

An energy-saving method for preparing a fresh brewed cold coffee beverage including the steps of:
         a. filling a brewing means ( 13 ) with a predetermined quantity of coffee powder;   b. brewing a hot coffee beverage by pushing hot water and/or hot steam through the predetermined quantity of coffee powder in the brewing means ( 13 );   c. cooling down the hot coffee beverage by exclusively bringing it in thermal contact with a stream of cold water; and   d. dispensing the cooled-down coffee beverage at a coffee outlet ( 17 ).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of and claims benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/505,738 filed on Oct. 3, 2014, and Swiss Application No. 00498/14 filed on Apr. 1, 2014, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of preparation of beverages. It refers to a method for preparing a fresh brewed cold coffee beverage according to the preamble to Claim 1.

The invention further refers to a coffee machine for conducting such method.

PRIOR ART

Document EP 2 130 466 A1 describes a machine for the preparation of beverages, which comprises a device for the preparation of coffee or tea to which water heated in a heat exchanger is delivered. The brewed beverage can then be dispensed as required either directly at a first outlet or is sent through a cooling arrangement equipped with a Peltier element and is then dispensed in cooled form at a second outlet.

The document EP 2 238 876 B1 discloses a method for producing a fresh cold coffee beverage from a predetermined quantity of ground coffee, comprising the following method steps: (S1) delivering the predetermined quantity of ground coffee into a brewing chamber; (S2) producing a coffee concentrate from the delivered predetermined quantity of ground coffee by means of a brewing process in the brewing chamber, wherein the coffee concentrate thus produced has a predeterminable multiple of a concentration (KN) of a normal drinking quality of filter coffee with approximately 1.2 to 1.4% dry substance; (S3) producing a fresh cold coffee beverage by mixing the coffee concentrate thus produced with a quantity of water which corresponds to a predeterminable multiple (VM) of the quantity of fresh coffee concentrate produced. A heat exchanger is not provided here.

The document EP 2 268 175 B1 describes a method for producing a beverage, wherein a cold beverage, in particular iced coffee, is produced continuously from a hot beverage, in particular coffee/espresso, produced in a beverage preparation appliance by means of a hot beverage preparation device, in particular coffee/espresso, immediately following the hot beverage preparation without direct addition of cooling agents, in particular ice, iced water or cooling elements, in the same beverage preparation appliance by means of a cooling device. Downstream of the cooling device in terms of flow, water, in particular cooled water, from a water source can be admixed with the cooled hot beverage. The cooling device comprises at least one first heat exchanger having at least one first flow channel arrangement for a beverage to be cooled, said arrangement being fluidically connected at the outlet end to a (cold) beverage outlet of the beverage preparation device, and a cooling assembly connected to the heat exchanger. In all cases active cooling means are employed.

The document EP 2 478 803 A1 discloses a machine for dispensing hot and cold beverages with a brewing chamber which is supplied with hot water for brewing the beverage. The brewed beverage can either be directly dispensed hot or for cooling can be sent through a heat exchanger which is connected to a cooling unit. Here too active cooling is employed.

The document U.S. Pat. No. 4,550,651 describes a coffee machine in which hot brewing water is delivered to a brewing basket. The brewed coffee flows into a holding and cooling tank and is then heated in portions as required in a heat exchanger which takes heat from a brewing water reservoir. The freshly brewed coffee can be cooled in the holding and cooling tank, as it gives off heat in a heat exchanger to fresh water which is delivered to the brewing water reservoir.

The document U.S. Pat. No. 5,724,883 discloses a coffee machine for brewing hot and cold beverages. For production of a cold coffee beverage the freshly brewed hot filter coffee is subjected to a three-stage cooling process which provides air cooling in a first stage, a heat exchange with freshly delivered water in the second stage and a heat exchange with a cooling cartridge in a third stage.

The document WO 2007/072374 A2 describes a coffee machine in which the cooling of the brewed beverage takes place by external addition of ice.

In the solution given in WO 2009/081299 A1 as well as the addition of ice the temperature of the water required for the brewing process is also lowered.

WO 2012/036635 A1 discloses a coffee machine in which, as required, before dispensing, the hot brewed beverage is led through a cooling chamber operating with Peltier elements for cooling.

All known coffee machines which provide for dispensing of a cold or significantly cooled coffee beverage are either of complicated construction or require additional energy for cooling, which is necessary for special active cooling arrangements such as Peltier elements or cooling circuits operating with a compressor.

In this case it should also be taken into consideration that a cooling of the coffee beverage must take place only in so far as subsequently added ice cubes do not melt immediately and excessively dilute the beverage from the outset.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the invention to create a coffee machine which in a simple and energy-saving manner enables the selective dispensing of hot or cooled coffee.

A further object of the invention is to provide a method for operating such a coffee machine.

This and other objects are achieved by the features of Claims 1 and 14.

Method for preparing a fresh brewed cold coffee beverage according to the invention comprises the steps of.

-   -   a) filling a brewing means with a predetermined quantity of         coffee powder;     -   b) brewing a hot coffee beverage by pushing hot water and/or hot         steam through said predetermined quantity of coffee powder in         said brewing means;     -   c) cooling down said hot coffee beverage by exclusively bringing         it in thermal contact with a stream of cold water; and     -   d) dispensing said cooled-down coffee beverage at a coffee         outlet.

An embodiment of the inventive method is characterized in that said thermal contact preferably comprises a heat exchange between said hot coffee and a first stream of cold water in at least one heat exchanger.

Another embodiment of the inventive method is characterized in that said thermal contact further comprises admixing a predetermined quantity of cold water in a second stream with the coffee beverage coming from said at least one heat exchanger before the coffee beverage is dispensed at said coffee outlet.

Another embodiment of the inventive method is characterized in that said hot water and/or hot steam used for said brewing step is prepared in a boiler, and that said first stream of cold water is fed into said boiler after said heat exchange in said at least one heat exchanger.

A further embodiment of the inventive method is characterized in that said first stream of cold water is discharged after said heat exchange in said at least one heat exchanger.

Just another embodiment of the inventive method is characterized in that said thermal contact comprises a first heat exchange between said hot coffee and a first stream of cold water in a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchange between said hot coffee and a second stream of cold water in a second heat exchanger.

Specifically, said first and second heat exchanges are conducted one after the other.

Specifically, said first and second heat exchanges are conducted in parallel.

Specifically, said first and second heat exchanges are conducted alternatively.

Specifically, said hot water and/or hot steam used for said brewing step is prepared in a boiler, and said first stream of cold water is fed into said boiler after said heat exchange in said first heat exchanger, and said second stream of cold water is discharged after said heat exchange in said at second heat exchanger.

A further embodiment of the inventive method is characterized in that for the production of a preselected coffee beverage a specific total amount of cold water is associated with a specific quantity of coffee powder, and that when cold water is admixed the quantity of hot water used for brewing is correspondingly reduced.

Specifically, the quantities of hot water used for brewing and of admixed cold water are controlled by a controller by means of corresponding valves.

Another embodiment of the inventive method is characterized in that said coffee powder provided for brewing is automatically ground and fed into said brewing means.

The coffee machine for conducting said method according to the invention comprises a means for brewing a coffee beverage with an inlet for hot water and an outlet for the brewed coffee beverage, and a coffee outlet which is connected to the outlet of said brewing means by outlet piping means

It is characterized in that for cooling of the brewed coffee at least one heat exchanger with a primary and a secondary side is provided, which is inserted with its primary side into said outlet piping means leading from the outlet of said brewing means to said coffee outlet, and the secondary side of which is connected with a cold water inlet.

An embodiment of the inventive coffee machine is characterized in that said coffee machine comprises a boiler with an inlet and an outlet, whereby said inlet of said boiler is connected to said cold water inlet by means of a first cold water feed pipe and said outlet of said boiler dispenses hot water and/or hot steam for brewing said coffee beverage to said inlet of said brewing means, and that said at least one heat exchanger is inserted with its secondary side into said first cold water feed pipe.

Another embodiment of the inventive coffee machine is characterized in that said secondary side of said at least one heat exchanger is further connected with a cooling water discharge pipe such that cooling water flowing through said secondary side from said cold water inlet is discharged through said cooling water discharge pipe.

Specifically, a further heat exchanger is provided, having a primary side and a secondary side, that said further heat exchanger is inserted with its primary side into said outlet piping means leading from the outlet of said brewing means to said coffee outlet, that said further heat exchanger is connected on its secondary side with said cold water inlet and with a cooling water discharge pipe such that cooling water flowing through said secondary side from said cold water inlet is discharged through said cooling water discharge pipe.

More specifically, said primary sides of said first and second heat exchangers are arranged in series within said outlet piping means leading from the outlet of said brewing means to said coffee outlet.

Alternatively, said primary sides of said first and second heat exchangers may be arranged in parallel within said outlet piping means leading from the outlet of said brewing means to said coffee outlet.

A further embodiment of the inventive coffee machine is characterized in that means are provided for adding cold water to the coffee beverage flowing out of said at least one heat exchanger to said coffee outlet.

Specifically, said cold water adding means comprises a second cold water feed pipe which connects said outlet piping means after said at least one heat exchanger to said cold water inlet.

More specifically, a controllable valve is inserted into said second cold water feed pipe and is connected to a controller of said coffee machine for controlling the quantity of cold water added.

Just another embodiment of the inventive coffee machine is characterized in that the primary side of said at least one heat exchanger can be bridged by a hot beverage pipe to which the outlet of said brewing means can be switched over from said outlet piping means.

A further embodiment of the inventive coffee machine is characterized in that said brewing means comprise a brewing unit with a closable brewing chamber into which freshly ground coffee powder can be fed from a grinder and through which pressurized hot water from a boiler flows during brewing of the coffee beverage.

Specifically, said grinder is integrated into said coffee machine.

Specifically, said brewing unit is opened and closed automatically.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is now to be explained more closely by means of different embodiments and with reference to the attached drawings.

The invention is explained in greater detail below with reference to embodiments in connection with the drawings. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a highly simplified schematic view of a coffee machine with cooling devices comprising a single heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of the inventive coffee machine with two heat exchangers in series connection; and

FIG. 3 shows a further embodiment of the inventive coffee machine with two heat exchangers in series connection.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DIFFERENT EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows the highly simplified construction and operating diagram of an automatic coffee machine according to an embodiment of the invention.

The coffee machine 10 comprises as central component a brewing unit 13 which may be of different construction depending upon the type of brewing process used. In the illustrated example a brewing method is indicated, wherein freshly ground coffee powder is fed into a brewing chamber 23 delimited by two pistons movable relative to one another and there hot brewing water flows from the bottom upwards through the coffee powder. Such a brewing unit is described for example in the document EP 2 036 466 A1 in the name of the applicant.

The hot water necessary for the brewing process is produced in an (electrically heated) boiler 11 which is connected at the outlet end to the inlet of the brewing unit 13 and at the inlet end receives cold fresh water from a cold water inlet 15 via a cold water feed pipe 15 a. The cold water inlet 15 can be connected directly to an external water supply or to an internal storage tank for fresh water.

The coffee beverage coming out of the brewing unit 13 at the top is delivered by means of a switchover valve 21 selectively via a first hot beverage pipe 27 and a cold beverage pipe 24 or a second hot beverage pipe 25 to a coffee outlet 17, and there it is dispensed into a container 18, a cup, a mug or the like. The switchover valve 21 is actuated by a central controller 16 which controls the outflow of the preparation depending upon the input beverage selection.

The first hot beverage pipe 27 and cold beverage pipe 24 are connected to the primary side of a heat exchanger 14, whilst the cold water inlet 15 and cold water feed pipe 15 a are connected to the secondary side heat exchanger 14 with cold water feed pipe 15 a leading to boiler 11. The heat exchanger 14 transfers heat from the hot coffee beverage flowing through the primary side to the fresh cold water flowing through the secondary side on its way to boiler 11. In this way the brewed beverage is significantly cooled in a first step, whilst the fresh water flowing to the boiler 11 is preheated in an energy-saving manner. On the other hand, if switchover valve 21 is switched over, hot brewed beverage is conveyed via bypassing hot beverage pipe 25 to the outlet 17, and the heat exchange does not occur and the usual hot beverage is dispensed.

Thus as a result there is a possibility that both hot and also cooled coffee can be dispensed directly from the machine. A central element in this idea is the heat exchanger 14 just before the coffee outlet 17, through which on the one hand the hot coffee and on the other hand the cold water, which preferably goes into the boiler 11, run. With this heat exchanger 14 the coffee is cooled to a certain degree.

In addition, a second element is that cold water can be added directly to the coffee already cooled in heat exchanger 14 and thus the coffee beverage is cooled further. For this purpose a second cold water feed pipe 15 b which opens into the pipe leading to the coffee outlet 17 branches off from the cold water inlet 15 and can be opened by actuating valve 22. By adding cold fresh water a direct heat exchange takes place between the two liquids.

The result of the two-stage cooling process is a coffee which is warm at approximately 30-35° C. and is dispensed into a mug with ice (if on the other hand the hot coffee at 90° C. were dispensed into the mug with ice, the ice would immediately melt completely; on the other hand with the warm coffee at 35° C. the quantity of ice is sufficient in order to cool the coffee to almost 0° C. and there is still some ice remaining).

However, the possibility also exists of bypassing the heat exchanger 14, by sending the hot brewed beverage via the hot beverage pipe 25, and subsequently effecting cooling by the addition of cold water via the cold water feed pipe 15 b. In this way in principle three different types of cooling are available, namely (1) cooling only by means of heat exchanger 14, (2) cooling only by the addition of cold water and (3) two-stage cooling by heat exchanger 14 and the addition of cold water.

The addition of cold water in the second cooling step changes the concentration of the brewed beverage by dilution. It is therefore advantageous that for the production of a preselected coffee beverage a specific total amount of cold water is associated with a specific quantity of coffee powder and that when cold water is admixed the quantity of hot water used for brewing is correspondingly reduced, so that the total quantity of water remains unchanged. However, it is also conceivable to provide other recipes for the cold coffee beverage than for a hot beverage.

In order that the quantities of hot water used for brewing and of added cold water can be controlled precisely by the controller 16, in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1 corresponding controllable valves 20 and 22 are disposed in the associated pipes from the boiler 11 to the brewing unit 13 and in the cold water feed pipe 15 b and connected to the controller 16. In addition the cold water feed pipes 15 a and 15 b can be provided with flow meters 19 and 26 which measure the quantity of water flowing through and transmit the values to the controller 16.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment as a fully automatic coffee machine which has an integrated grinder 12 in which coffee is freshly ground and fed automatically into the (then opened) brewing chamber 23.

However, the invention can also be employed in other coffee machines with individual preparation, such as for example the hand-filled portafilter machines or so-called 3/4 automatic machines (see the document WO 2013/117362 A1), or machines in which the coffee powder for brewing is provided in capsules or sachets and introduced into the brewing unit.

FIG. 2 shows in a detail another embodiment of the inventive coffee machine. In this embodiment two different heat exchangers 14 and 14′ are used to cool down the brewed coffee beverage. The first heat exchanger 14 plays the same roll as in the embodiment of FIG. 1 and cools the hot coffee beverage by means of a heat exchange with the cold fresh water flowing through cold water feed pipe 15 a.

A second cooling step can be initiated by switching over a switchover valve 28, which is arranged in cold beverage pipe 24. The coffee beverage cooled down in heat exchanger 14 then flows to the primary side of second heat exchanger 14′ via a connecting pipe 29. In heat exchanger 14′ a second heat transfer takes place between the coffee beverage and cold fresh water, which flows through the secondary side of heat exchanger 14′ from cold water inlet 15 to a cooling water discharge pipe 31 to be discharged there. The flow of cold water through the secondary side of heat exchanger 14′ can be controlled by a valve 30 and is independent of the fresh water requirements of boiler 11. In this way, by combining the two cooling steps within the two heat exchangers 14 and 14′, the cooling process can be optimized. When the cooled coffee beverage leaves second heat exchanger 14′ through second cold beverage pipe 24′ there is still the possibility to add a third cooling step by admixing cold water, as described in connection with the embodiment in FIG. 1.

In the embodiment of FIG. 2 the two heat exchangers 14 and 14′ are arranged in a series arrangement. However, heat exchangers 14 and 14′ may be arranged in a parallel arrangement, as shown in FIG. 3. Here, switchover valves 32 and 33 are used to elect one of the heat exchangers 14 and 14′ to cool down the brewed coffee beverage by heat exchange with fresh cold water, which is either supplied to boiler 11 (when heat exchanger 14 is used) or discharged through cooling water discharge pipe 31 (when heat exchanger 14′ is used). Instead of an alternative use of heat exchangers 14 and 14′, both may be used in parallel, so that part of the heat of the hot coffee beverage is transferred to boiler 11, and part of the heat is discharged through cooling water discharge pipe 31. It is clear that both scenarios can be combined with the subsequent admixture of cold fresh water, as described in connection with the embodiment in FIG. 1.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   10 coffee machine -   11 boiler -   12 grinder -   13 brewing unit -   14,14′ heat exchanger -   15 cold water inlet -   15 a,b cold water feed pipe -   16 controller -   17 coffee outlet -   18 container (mug, cup etc.) -   19,26 flow meter -   20 valve -   21,22 switchover valve -   23 brewing chamber -   24,24′ cold beverage pipe -   25,27 hot beverage pipe -   30 valve -   29 connecting pipe -   31 cooling water discharge pipe -   28,32,33 switchover valve 

What is claimed is:
 1. A coffee machine (10) for preparing a fresh brewed cold coffee beverage, said coffee machine comprising a brewing means (13) for brewing a coffee beverage with an inlet for hot water and an outlet for a brewed coffee beverage, and a coffee outlet (17) which is connected to the outlet of said brewing means (13) by outlet piping means (27, 24, 29, 24′), wherein the brewing means (13) is filled with a predetermined quantity of coffee power and a hot coffee beverage is brewed by pushing hot water and/or hot steam through said predetermined quantity of coffee power in said brewing means (13); and at least one heat exchanger (14, 14′) with a primary and a secondary side for cooling down said hot coffee beverage by exclusively bringing said hot coffee beverage in thermal contact with a stream of cold water, the at least one heat exchanger (14, 14′) inserted with said primary side into said outlet piping means (27, 24, 29, 24′) leading from the outlet of said brewing means (13) to said coffee outlet (17), and the secondary side of which is connected with a cold water inlet (15), wherein the fresh brewed cold coffee beverage is dispensed from the coffee outlet (17).
 2. The coffee machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said coffee machine (10) comprises a boiler (11) with an inlet and an outlet, whereby said inlet of said boiler (11) is connected to said cold water inlet (15) by means of a first cold water feed pipe (15 a) and said outlet of said boiler (11) dispenses hot water and/or hot steam for brewing said coffee beverage to said inlet of said brewing means (13), and that said at least one heat exchanger (14) is inserted with its secondary side into said first cold water feed pipe (15 a).
 3. The coffee machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said secondary side of said at least one heat exchanger (14′) is further connected with a cooling water discharge pipe (31) such that cooling water flowing through said secondary side from said cold water inlet (15) is discharged through said cooling water discharge pipe (31).
 4. The coffee machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein a further heat exchanger (14′) is provided, having a primary side and a secondary side, that said further heat exchanger (14′) is inserted with its primary side into said outlet piping means (27, 24, 29, 24′) leading from the outlet of said brewing means (13) to said coffee outlet (17), that said further heat exchanger (14′) is connected on its secondary side with said cold water inlet (15) and with a cooling water discharge pipe (31) such that cooling water flowing through said secondary side from said cold water inlet (15) is discharged through said cooling water discharge pipe (31).
 5. The coffee machine as claimed in claim 4, wherein said primary sides of said at least one heat exchanger (14) and said further heat exchanger (14′) are arranged in series within said outlet piping means (27, 24, 29, 24′) leading from the outlet of said brewing means (13) to said coffee outlet (17).
 6. The coffee machine as claimed in claim 4, wherein said primary sides of said at least one heat exchanger (14) and said further heat exchanger (14′) are arranged in parallel within said outlet piping means (27, 24, 29, 24′) leading from the outlet of said brewing means (13) to said coffee outlet (17).
 7. The coffee machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein cold water adding means (15 b, 19, 22) are provided for adding cold water to the coffee beverage flowing out of said at least one heat exchanger (14) to said coffee outlet (17).
 8. The coffee machine as claimed in claim 7, wherein said cold water adding means comprises a second cold water feed pipe (15 b) which connects said outlet piping means (27, 24, 29, 24′) after said at least one heat exchanger (14) to said cold water inlet (15).
 9. The coffee machine as claimed in claim 8, wherein a controllable valve (22) is inserted into said second cold water feed pipe (15 b) and is connected to a controller (16) of said coffee machine (10) for controlling the quantity of cold water added.
 10. The coffee machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the primary side of said at least one heat exchanger (14) can be bridged by a hot beverage pipe (25) to which the outlet of said brewing means (13) can be switched over from said outlet piping means (27, 24, 29, 24′).
 11. The coffee machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said brewing means comprise a brewing unit (13) with a closable brewing chamber (23) into which freshly ground coffee powder can be fed from a grinder (12) and through which pressurized hot water from a boiler (11) flows during brewing of the coffee beverage.
 12. The coffee machine as claimed in claim 11, wherein said grinder (12) is integrated into said coffee machine (10).
 13. The coffee machine as claimed in claim 11, wherein said brewing unit (13) is opened and closed automatically. 